The Effect of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids on the Growth and Metabolism of Carp

Abstract

Groups of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were fed
diets supplemented with eight anabolic-androgenic steroids
and one anti-androgenic steroid at doses of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and
10 mg/kg dry diet for sixty or ninety days, and their
effect on growth, food conversion and body composition
observed. Seven of these nine steroids when given at
lower doses, significantly increased the growth rate and
food conversion efficiency. The effect of these drugs on
hepato-, reno-, cranio and viscero-somatic index was
variable. In all the drugs the concentration of hormones
which induced growth also brought concurrent changes in
RNA, DNA and proteins of liver, kidney, brain and muscle.
The uptake and disappearance of the 3H-testosterone was
also studied. Twenty days after the withdrawal of the
labelled steroid, the concentration of radioactivity in
the carp muscle was 2.79 ng/g of the fresh weight. It is
concluded that anabolic-androgenic steroids can manifest
pronounced anabolic activity and have great potential
as growth promotants in aquaculture.

Date of Award	1980
Original language	English